Cyber Shoppers Want a Test-Drive

While most Internet consumers would prefer all online content to
be free, many are willing to shell out bucks for it — if they
can try before they buy. Half of all Internet users oppose fees for
downloading content, especially for information (77 percent),
pictures (66 percent), and MP3 files (51 percent), according to a
survey by the Consumer Electronics Association. Yet 26 percent of
consumers who previously downloaded computing software bought more
of it after sampling, as did 20 percent who downloaded games or
music. But those who have never been tempted by the free stuff show
a greater willingness to pay for content: Among adults online who
have never downloaded free content, 33 percent say they are likely
to buy audio files and 28 percent are likely to buy video clips or
movies.